Himachal Kisan Sabha’s Struggle Against BJP-NDA’s Anti-Farmer-Labour Policies to Intensify: Tanwar
Corporate Houses Benefit, Farmers-Labourers in Dire Straits; People’s Rights Over Himachal’s Water-Forest-Land Must Be Ensured
The Himachal Kisan Sabha today submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Sh. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu regarding the issues of farmers, agricultural labourers, workers, and the general public. A memorandum addressed to the President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, through the Chief Minister, was also sent on behalf of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM).
State President of the Kisan Sabha, Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, and State General Secretary, Rakesh Singha, stated that the corporate-friendly policies of the BJP-NDA government have plunged the country’s agriculture, employment, food security, and public sector into a severe crisis. Instead of providing remunerative prices to farmers for their crops, the government is moving towards handing over agriculture to large corporate houses. Opening up the Indian market to foreign agricultural products through free trade agreements is a direct betrayal of the interests of the country’s farmers.
The Kisan Sabha demanded a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on C2+50% for all crops, comprehensive loan waivers for farmers and agricultural labourers, the withdrawal of all four labour codes, a minimum wage of ₹42,000, and ensuring 200 days of work under MGNREGA with a daily wage of ₹700.
The Sabha strongly opposed the policy of weakening the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and increasing corporate monopoly in its silos and food storage systems. The Kisan Sabha asserted that the public food security system would not be allowed to become a means of profit for private companies.
Corporate Looting of Himachal’s Resources Will Not Be Tolerated
The Kisan Sabha stated that the biggest issue for Himachal is the people’s rights over water, forests, and land. The increasing commercial exploitation of groundwater is jeopardizing drinking water and irrigation in villages. Therefore, prior approval from the Gram Sabha should be made mandatory before any commercial groundwater exploitation in any area. A separate water system should be arranged for MSME units so that industries do not affect drinking water and irrigation in rural areas.
Instead of displacing families that have been settled on government land for years, the Sabha demanded that arrangements be made to transfer proprietary land in exchange for the government land occupied. Dr. Tanwar said that instead of evicting poor families, the government should find a humane and just solution.
Justice for Pong Displaced Persons
State General Secretary Rakesh Singha raised the decades-old issue of Pong Dam displaced persons before the Chief Minister. He said that the land allocated for displaced persons in Rajasthan has still not been made physically available to a large number of families. He suggested that the Himachal Pradesh government take possession of the land allocated in Rajasthan and distribute it to eligible Pong-displaced families.
The Kisan Sabha stated that keeping those who sacrificed their land and homes for the nation’s development deprived of justice for decades is a grave injustice.
Chief Minister’s Assurances Must Now Be Implemented on the Ground
The Chief Minister listened seriously to the various issues raised by the Kisan Sabha and assured them of taking necessary steps, showing a positive approach on some matters, including issues related to families settled on government land and changes in the groundwater policy.
The Kisan Sabha said that now, mere assurances are not enough; time-bound action is required. A nationwide struggle against the anti-farmer-labourer and corporate-friendly policies of the BJP-NDA will be strengthened in Himachal Pradesh. Simultaneously, a broad people’s movement will be built on issues concerning the state’s water-forest-land, farmers’ rights, employment, social security, Pong displaced persons, and the rights of the general public.
Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar
State President, Himachal Kisan Sabha
Rakesh Singha
State General Secretary, Himachal Kisan Sabha
